Rafael Lama Bonilla, chief executive officer of GFR Media, was recognized on Tuesday, November 10, for his work at the media company and for using the El Nuevo Día platform to raise the visibility of movements in favor of entrepreneurship in Puerto Rico. Gloria M. Viscasillas, executive director of the nonprofit Echar Pa’lante, said the recognition was for Lama Bonilla’s work supporting businesses in Puerto Rico and GFR Media’s continued backing of Echar Pa’lante, including sponsoring the organization’s most recent educational campaign.
The event was held at the headquarters of the Colegio de Ingenieros y Agrimensores de Puerto Rico in Hato Rey, with former U.S. secretary of education Miguel Cardona as keynote speaker. Nerma Albertorio, who heads the Centro para Emprendedores de Puerto Rico, presented Lama Bonilla with the Pilares del Empresarismo Boricua award. Lama Bonilla, who began his career at El Nuevo Día as a business reporter, thanked the organization for the honor, which highlights leaders and organizations in sectors including education, communications, financing, municipal government and community development.
Echar Pa’lante also recognized doctor Beverly Morro Vega, of the Banco de Desarrollo Económico para Puerto Rico; the Municipio Autónomo de Coamo; the Sede Incubadora Solidaria de Mujeres de Islas in Culebra; and Banco Popular de Puerto Rico. The Department of Education signed a memorandum of understanding for the Escuela Laboratorio de Emprendimiento e Innovación (eLAB) at the Hawthorne building of the Escuela Rafael Vila Mayo campus in Río Piedras.
Since 2014, the nonprofit has recognized figures and institutions that strengthen entrepreneurship, innovation and economic development in Puerto Rico.